Character & Temperament

Despite their small size, Brussels Griffons are extremely fearless and confident dogs. They are known for their intelligence and their exceptional ability to communicate with humans. Despite their small size, they are lively and playful, they love spending time with their family and being the center of attention. Brussels Griffons tend to develop a particularly strong bond with one person in their household. They are extremely affectionate and enjoy being as close as possible to their favorite person - whether on their lap, on the pillow or next to you on the sofa. But despite their clinginess and need for human companionship, they can also learn to remain alone for short periods of time. Due to their origins as rat hunters, they may display a certain amount of prey drive. However, this instinct is no longer strong in most Brussels Griffons. They are generally more interested in playing and hanging out with you than scanning their surroundings for potential prey. One of the characteristic features of Brussels Griffons is their alertness. They are very attentive and won't let strangers into the house unnoticed. They may be small, but they are brave and will not hesitate to defend their family if they feel it is being threatened. Therefore they are also good guard dogs. The Brussels Griffons are an excellent choice for you if you are looking for a small, intelligent, affectionate and fearless companion. Their size and adaptability make them perfect for city life, but they equally enjoy living in the country where they can indulge their natural hunting instincts. They need regular mental and physical activity to be happy and balanced, but they are also content just spending time with you. All they really want is to be loved and considered part of the family.

What Awaits You

The dogs are alert, tend to be reserved towards strangers and like to accompany their people everywhere. Brussels Griffons are often long-lived. It is important to practice patience and frustration tolerance with them right from the start and to keep them mentally occupied later.

Housing & Care

Brussels Griffons make excellent city dogs. They cope well with living in an apartment, provided they get enough exercise and activity. They are friendly and social, both with people and other dogs, and they can get along well with children, provided the children are old enough to understand how to treat a dog with respect. They can also live well with cats and other pets as long as they are used to them from an early age.

Training & Education

Brussels Griffons are intelligent and eager to learn, which makes training easier. However, they can also be a bit stubborn, which is why a consistent and positive parenting method works best. They respond well to rewards and praise, and they enjoy mental challenges, making them suitable for agility and other dog sports. It is important for a Brussels Griffon to learn to develop frustration tolerance and impulse control. They are often very lively and curious, and if they do not learn to control their impulses, they can easily become overstimulated and restless. It can also be helpful to teach them to accept periods of rest to avoid becoming overly busy.

Nutrition & Care

Brussels Griffons are small dogs with relatively low energy requirements. Their diet should be balanced and of high quality, with enough protein and fat to maintain their energy, as well as an appropriate amount of carbohydrates for healthy digestion. Because they can be prone to obesity, it is important to monitor their food intake and ensure they get enough exercise. When it comes to grooming, the effort depends heavily on the coat type. The rough-haired version requires regular brushing to avoid tangles, while the straight-haired version requires less care. Both versions shed minimally, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. It is important to note that Brussels Griffons do not have an undercoat, so they are less suited to extremely cold climates.